How Was Your 2009?

**cmhargrove** · 02-09-2010, 11:33 AM

We all read a lot of reports about the economy, and obviously the Optical industry has had its share of challenges in the past couple years. For general benefit, I wanted to ask how everyone did financially in 2009. Don't feel any pressure if you aren't comfortable with the question, this isn't supposed to be competitive. When I go to conferences I usually ask the question so I can help benchmark a little. I figure a thread like this can help us know how we are doing as an industry (with all the doom and gloom talk).

So, if you are comfortable, tell what state you are in, what type of Optical profession you are in (independent retail, chain retail, Optometrist, lab, etc..), and either tell a percentage, or a general figure like "slightly up" or "slightly down." Be as general as you need to be to feel comfortable - once again, this isn't about competing with each other.

If this thread isn't constructive, I will ask the moderators to delete it. I just figure open discussion can help everyone try to improve their businesses.

I'll start.
I work for an independent retail lab in Oklahoma. 2009 started off in the hole, and the first few months were rough. We had a good summer, and better than expected holiday season. So, the year started off "not so good," but we ended up about +2.5% on the year.

**ih8wlmrt** · 02-09-2010, 01:41 PM

seems like no one is rushing to brag about their 2009.

Mine was lousey.
I am an independent optician in florida.
2009 was slow.
slower than 2008 which by the way was also slow.
sales are down, people are just not spending money.

very high unemployment in my area. lots of forclosures.
everyone I know with a small business is struggling.

The housing debacle really hurt us here.

**drk** · 02-09-2010, 01:50 PM

2008 = record year
2009 = first time ever we had negative growth, moderate single digits
In practice since 1996

**Jacqui** · 02-09-2010, 01:54 PM

The for-profit side was down about 10% The charity work was up about 60%

**cocoisland58** · 02-09-2010, 02:00 PM

Down. Unemployment at 15% here. That we are even hanging in there and making a profit amazes me. A small profit to be sure but a profit just the same. Had to lay off a few employees which saddened me greatly. Hanging in there and hoping for a better year or election time whichever comes first.

**optical24/7** · 02-09-2010, 02:09 PM

Up, here. But our economy has not been as bad as the rest of the country.

**DragonLensmanWV** · 02-09-2010, 02:43 PM

We finished about .5% lower.

**Uilleann** · 02-09-2010, 02:56 PM

First half was notably decent. Double digit comps to '08. Then came the end of May. One of our docs took a humaitarian 'vacation' to Paraguay to provide free exams and glasses to the locals. We started to drop off when she left, but then even after she returned, it was like we'd hit a wall. The next 28 weeks were dismal. If we made anything it was low single digit positive comp, though we had more than a couple months go negative. Overall for the year, I think we were basically flat against '08.

2010 is looking a touch brighter, at least it *feels* like the dispensary is back up and humming again. Interestingly, the glasses side of things for us has continued to grow, quite a bit in fact - we're just not seeing as many patients in the chairs as we have in days gone by. We're doing a decent job of maximizing what we do have I believe...we'd just like to see a few more faces. Being close to both the major state university, and all the financial firms downtown, a large portion of our patient base is transient.

We're hopeful we can regain some steam on '10! :cheers::cheers::cheers:

Best of luck to everyone!

Bri~

**Robert Martellaro** · 02-09-2010, 03:19 PM

2007 was a gross sales record year, but that included a myopia study program (n= about 20, with multiple Rx changes) that extended into 2008.

2008 was down 1%.

2009 was down another 1%. This was by far my most profitable year.

Most of my clients are over age 60 and were somewhat immune from the economic downturn. I'm extremely fortunate to be doing this well, considering that all of my clients come from outside Rxs with no insurance.

**For-Life** · 02-09-2010, 03:35 PM

Talked to my father the other day. His sales were on par with last year. Would have liked to see growth, but fine that it at least stayed the same.

**L.A.B.** · 02-09-2010, 03:45 PM

I work in a Private Optometry office. We had a few crummy months but a really good year overall. We were 10% over last year. this year is starting off well.

**melvilletim** · 02-10-2010, 03:12 PM

we were up about 12-13% over last year.

**EdgeOptical** · 02-10-2010, 04:05 PM

private od office, we lost a full time doctor half way through 09, ended up with one casual od and one part time od, and were only down about 10% to 08

08 was about the same as 07, so with all things considered, losing about 65% of our chair time i think we are actually doing very well, if we bring in a full time od this year i would expect to see more then 10% over 08, 20% over 09 this year. so far our year is supporting my ideas.

**rbanting69** · 02-11-2010, 08:31 PM

Independent practice saw fewer encounters, but increased sales in the dispensery. I am very pleased with the year. The staff made the best of a tough situation. Profit was up about 9 to 11% over the previous year again with less lives. Impressive I must say especially since we run 45 to 50% VSP.